Background
A review of the Regional Mechanism for humanitarian assistance in disasters (also known as Mec-Reg/SICA) has been developed. The review started with a simulation to test the mechanism, organized by the Coordination Center for Disaster Prevention in Central America and the Dominican Republic (CEPREDENAC) and included the member countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA) and the Dominican Republic, the Civil Protection Systems and Ministries of Foreign Affairs.
The simulation enabled the participants to identify the strengths and needs of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and the Dominican Republic when responding to disasters.
National workshops were then held in each of the countries to review current procedures.
Each participant's feedback was vital in the review process, so that real needs could be considered within a post-pandemic multi-threat context. Each country has worked to review progress in updating their procedures for coordinating international humanitarian assistance.
To conclude the review CEPREDENAC organized a Regional Workshop for the update of the Regional Mechanism for Humanitarian Assistance (Mec-Reg/SICA) in December 2022. This workshop had active participation from key personnel from each of the six countries. The participants exchanged experiences in recent emergencies and reviewed the updated version of the Mec-Reg/SICA shared by CEPREDENAC. The consolidated version will be officially presented at the Meeting of Presidents of SICA in the first half of 2023, to complete its review and validation process.
Key points included in the revised Mec- Reg/SICA (January 2023 version)
The consolidated version of the Mec-Reg/SICA was shared with the participants in January 2023, and it is expected to be reviewed and validated at the SICA Meeting of Presidents in the first half of 2023. Among the key points included are:
• Change of terminology to "eligible assisting actor" to recognize more actors who provide assistance and inclusion of IDRL legal facilities prior to entry of humanitarian assistance.
• Countries consider conditional cash transfers for monetary donations.
• Explicit recognition of the auxiliary role of National Red Cross Societies in coordinating resource mobilization with CEPREDENAC and authorities of the assisted/transit country.
• Assistance based on humanitarian norms of Disaster Law.
Next steps:
In 2023, the countries will work on the final comments for the revised MEC-REG/SICA, which will be presented, reviewed and validated at the SICA's Meeting of Presidents. The revised MEC-REG/SICA is expected to be implemented during the third Regional Simulation, to be held in Panama City in July 2023.
Disclaimer: This article was written in February 2023.